Wimbledon’s FA Cup hero of 1988 says the Dons of 2012 can be heroes themselves when they go to Stadium mk on Sunday - but they must let the football do the talking.

Dave Beasant, who famously saved John Aldridge’s penalty in the 1-0 win over Liverpool to then raise the FA Cup as captain of the crazy gang, believes a “lot of water has gone under the bridge” since the well-documented fiasco of 2002.

But the 53-year-old also says AFC Wimbledon need to continue to hold their heads up high, be proud of what they have achieved and have faith in how they achieved it.

“The people here at Kingsmeadow have created a great little club and there are a lot of people with the opinion that the MK Dons should not be in the position they are in,” Beasant said.

“But a lot of water has gone under the bridge and nothing is going to change so we have got to get on with it whether you’re happy with the decision or disagree with it.

“AFC Wimbledon have done a fantastic job to get where they are, that’s how they have got to look at it, tell themselves ‘We’re proud of what we’ve achieved here, and in what we consider the correct way to do it’.”

Beasant, who made 340 appearances for Wimbledon before joining Newcastle United after the cup final, added: “I know some fans are not going to go to the game, but the players need their support because they are going to a club that is doing very well in League One.

“They are going to want to go there and show everyone what they can do, and as I know all too well cup shocks can happen, I just think the boys need to concentrate on the game.

“I am sure once they are on the pitch it will be all about football and less about the stuff surrounding the game. At the end of the day, both teams want to win, and there is nothing to say it cannot be the Dons.”